Detailed Reviews [Difference - 1975 - "Different Ways"]

Prolusion. Norwegian band Difference was formed in the late 1960's, and was an active band until 1980 or thereabouts. During their active years the band released two studio albums. "Different Ways" was the second of these, and dates back to 1975.

Analysis. What we get with this album is music that is rather typical of the time and the era in which it was written and recorded. One of those bands that doesn't fit exactly into a progressive rock context as such, but that stay closer to a form and orientation I will often refer to as art pop. Or progressive rock with a solid inclusion of pop music elements if you like. This means that many of the songs have much more of a straight forward nature to them than the bands that stressed the progressive aspect of progressive rock to a greater degree, and that the songs are generally kept short and sweet. We don't get served with as many or as long instrumental sections, and the songs are often lighter in tone, texture and mood to boot. In this case we have a band that are rather fond of their vocal harmonies, which is something of a dominating aspect throughout, but also a band that will use instruments in a manner many progressive rock fans will appreciate. The electric piano and the organ are in place alongside vintage synthesizers and keyboards, with some space and room for the Mellotron as well. Ranging from elegant, joyful and careful creations where the piano is leading the way through to creations where layered keyboards and tangents creates more majestic and atmospheric laden passages and all the way over to funk-tinged uplifting affairs using elements closer to disco music, this is an album with quite a bit of diversity to it. Often with a mood and atmosphere I associate more with US bands than European ones, although that is presumably a subjective opinion. And there are some cases of material here with a tip of the hat or two in the Direction of the Beatles as well. Uplifting and positive music is a mainstay throughout though, and it is also easy to hear that this is a band that knows their way around psychedelic rock too, even if that flavor isn't a dominant one on this production.

Conclusion. For many years I have heard that we have uncovered all of the interesting music from the 70's by now, and that those with an interest in music from that decade won't find any more forgotten jewels. Time and time again this opinion has been disproven, and Difference is the latest band to prove that we still have a lot of good music to discover. An album for those who tend to enjoy the poppier side of progressive rock, and then in particular those with an affection for distinctly 70's flavored specimens of this kind.

Progmessor: March 2022
The Rating Room